The Nightingale Oak stands as a living testament to the passage of time, earning the title of the oldest tree in the park with an impressive age of more than 500 years. Recognizing its historical and cultural significance, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism issued an order on May 19, 2005, declaring “Grandfather Slaveykov’s Place and Pencho Slaveykov’s Oak” a cultural monument of national importance.
This ancient oak is more than a remarkable natural wonder; it represents the last surviving section of the old oak bark of Sofia – Kurubaglar. The 300-year-old oaks surrounding it have also been designated as protected natural sites. The location was once a garden owned by the Slaveykovi family, and it serves as a poignant reminder of the historical connections between nature and the cultural figures who found inspiration in its midst.
Grandfather Slaveykov’s Place and Pencho Slaveykov’s Oak hold particular significance for the literary circle known as “Thought,” where luminaries such as Pencho Slaveykov, Peyo Yavorov, Petko Todorov, Dr. Krastev, Mara Belcheva, Boyan Penev, and many other writers and public figures would gather. It was within this serene environment that Pencho Slaveykov composed some of his most renowned literary works.
